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Definitions

In the Canadian health system, feeding and eating disorders are diagnosed by medical doctors or psychologists and these diagnoses are guided by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association. The manual is revised periodically with input from professionals in Canada and the United States, and the most recent version – DSM-5 – was published in 2013. The revisions to the feeding and eating disorders section aimed to be more inclusive of a wider range of disordered eating, to aid in the identification of males affected, and to facilitate earlier identification of eating disorders. These formal categories of eating disorders and their definitions are summarized in the linked pages.

In addition we include a few categories that are only informally identified but which represent real distress related to troubled eating or disturbances about weight and shape.

For clarification or additional information, connect with our helpline by phone at 416-340-4156 or toll free at 1-866-NEDIC-20 (1-866-633-4220) or by email at nedic@uhn.ca, Monday to Friday, 9am -9pm EST.

Please note, NEDIC's resources are currently being updated to reflect new and relevant research on eating disorders, disordered eating and food and weight preoccupation.

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